cinema tacohttp://www.readthehook.com/taxonomy/term/1722/all
enCinema taco: New Mexican in the Jeffhttp://www.readthehook.com/69252/cinema-taco-new-mexican-jeff
<!&#8211; This will not be inserted &#8211;><!&#8211; This will not be inserted &#8211;><div class="captionLeftLandscape"><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/dish-alexandstu.jpg"></a><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/dish-alexandstu1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24607" title="dish-alexandstu1" src="http://www.readthehook.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/dish-alexandstu1-325x243.jpg" alt="dish-alexandstu1" width="325" height="243" /></a><strong>An Alex George and Stu Rifkin production, starring the Jefferson Theater and its new Mexican restaurant, named Cinema Taco, we hope</strong>...<br />
<small>PHOTO BY DAVE MCNAIR<br />
</small></div>
<p>While the name of the new Mexican place in <strong>Coran Capshaw’s</strong> the <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/29/bras-thrown-favorites-played-beloved-jefferson-theater-returns-to-glory-on-opening-night/">just-renovated</a> <strong>Jefferson Theater</strong> hadn’t been decided by press time, sources tell Dish that Ã¢â?¬Ë?<strong>Cinema Taco</strong>’ has become a favorite among the powers that be. Indeed, the new eatery in the old <strong>Innisfree World Artisans</strong> space beside the main theater entrance pays homage to the Jeff’s days as a cinema, complete with one of the theater’s old film projectors in the window and its popcorn warming case ready to keep fresh tortilla chips warm and toasty.<br />
</p><p class="whitespace">Former <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/dish/index.php/just-curry-to-close/"><strong>Just Curry</strong></a> owner <strong>Alex George</strong>, along with real estate agent and <strong>Nook</strong> co-owner <strong>Stu Rifkin</strong>, will be running the place for Capshaw, and they say they should be open this week, serving lunch Wednesday through Friday, and late-night during shows on Saturday nights.<br />
</p><p class="whitespace">“I did the design work,” says Rifkin. “Alex is the culinary genius.&#8221;<br />
</p><p class="whitespace">The extensive renovation includes a custom-built deli-style counter with a fancy warmer (to keep food warm and ready for a quick purchase) and a spiral staircase that leads to a full-service kitchen in the basement, serving the theater too. It’s a neat set-up; you don’t have to go to a concert to eat there, and you don’t have to leave the concert to eat.<br />
</p><p class="whitespace">“Numerous concepts were presented,” says Rifkin, “but what we wanted was hand-held food, to feed the theater crowd. Things like burritos and empanadas seemed perfect.&#8221;<br />
</p><p class="whitespace">Rifkin says they did a test run last <strong>Saturday</strong>, <strong>December 5</strong>, staying open until 1:30am for the <strong>Toubab Krewe</strong> show, and later served a bunch of folks with some serious munchies arriving late from <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2009/12/08/music-review-the-naked-truth-about-phish/">the <strong>Phish</strong> show</a> at <strong>JPJ </strong>that night.<br />
</p><p class="whitespace">“It was great,” says Rifkin, who mentions they offered a special CatPhish taco that night. “They were very excited to see food.&#8221;<br />
</p><p class="whitespace">As for George’s menu, one can expect things like a marinated chicken or grilled steak burrito, fresh juices, nachos, tacos with various fillings, empa±adas that will “fill you up,” <strong>Starr Hill</strong> drafts at $5 a pop, and Corona in cans.<br />
</p><p class="whitespace">Rifkin predicts the venue, which we’ll go ahead and call Cinema Taco because we like the name so much, will eventually be a much needed late-night food spot on the Mall, especially during concert nights.</p>
http://www.readthehook.com/69252/cinema-taco-new-mexican-jeff#comments_BreakingNews_FoodRestaurant Openingscinema tacoDowntown Malljefferson theatermexicanTue, 08 Dec 2009 20:38:06 +0000Dave McNair69252 at http://www.readthehook.com